Since first described by Philipsen, odontogenic keratocysts have been reported by a number of investigators.
A clinical study was undertaken on 26 cases of odontogenic keratocyst seen during the past 11 years at our department. The pathological diagnosis was based on the criteria of Pindborg.
The patients with odontogenic keratocyst amounted to 6.1% of the patients admitted in our department for treatment of cystic diseases. These consisted of 14 males and 12 females and ranged in age from 11 to 72 (mean 36 years old). The ratio of the incidence in the lower jaw to that in the upper jaw 6: 1. The mandibular wisdom tooth to mandibular ramus region was the predilection site. Basal cell nevus syndrome was found in 3 cases.
The cysts were morphologically divided by X-ray into 3 types;(1) monocystic and smooth (n=25), (2) monocystic and scalloped (n=4), (3) polycystic (n=7), Twelve of them were accompanied by impacted tooth.
On measuring the areas of the cysts using an orthopantomograph for determining their sizes, the areas ranged from 1.8 cm2 to 40.3 cm2 (mean 13 cm2).
Histopathologically, almost all of the cysts were parakeratinized.
